Electrical switching device



Sept 29, 1942- H. A. DOUGLAS D2,297,349

ELECTRICAL SWI'CHING DEVICE Filed NOV. 20, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I" Hurts A Doc-:31ans Sept 29, 1942- H. A. DouGLAs 2,297,349

ELECTRICAL SWITCHING DEVICE Filed Nov. 20, '1959 4 Sheets-sheet 2 `i-"lanrarfj A.. Douglas Nvx-LNTOR ATTORNE\(5 sept' 29, 1942- H. A. DOUGLAS 2,297,349

ELECTRICAL SWITCHING DEVICE Filed Nov. 2o, 1959 4 sheets-sheet s j? yy Fisio XNVLNTOR ATTORNE- 5 Sept 29, i942- H. A. DOUGLAS 2,297,349

ELECTRICAL SWITCHING DEVICE Filed Nov. 20, 19.39 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Hat-f5 Ph Douas NviNToR SYW,

,Patented Sept. 29, 1942 ELECTRICAL SVVITCHING DEVICE Harry A. Douglas, Bronson, Mich., assignor to Kingston Products Corporation, a corporation of Indiana substituted for abandoned application Serial No.

115,075, December 10, 1936.

This application November 20, 1939, Serial No. 305,411

(Cl. 20o-167) 14 Claims.

This invention relates to electrical switching devices, more particularly to switching devices adapted to be used With automotive vehicles, and the principal object of this invention is to provide new and improved devices of this character.

This application is substituted for my application, Serial Number 115,075, filed December l0, 1935.

In the drawings accompanying this specification and forming a part of this application, there is shown, for purposes of illustration, several embodiments which the invention may assume, and in these drawings:

Figure 1 is a central sectional View of an embodment of the invention, certain parts being shown in elevation,

Figure 2 is a rear View of the embodiment shown in Figure l,

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional View corresponding substantially to the line 3 3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is an elevational view loolnng into the casing of the electric switch, the bridge carrier and the contact support being omitted,

Figure 5 is a detailed sectional view of th'e center contact shown in Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a detailed sectional view of one of the contacts shown spaced from the center in Figure 2,

Figure '7 is a disassembled perspective view of some of the parts comprising the embodiment shown in Figure 1,

Figure 8 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing parts of the connection for :37

fastening the switching device to a mounting,

igure 9 is a transverse sectional view correspending generally to the line 9 9 of Figure 1,

Figure 1G is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding generally to the line lil-I3 of Figure 9, and showing some parts broken away, and some parts in elevation,

Figures 1l, 12, and 13 are detailed views illustrating the connection for fastening the switching device to the mounting,

Figure lll is a fragmentary sectional View of a different embodiment of the invention,

Figure is a perspective View illustrating a different construction for the lamp socket used in the embodiment of Figures 1 through 13,

Figure 16 is a diagrammatic View illustrating an electrical circuit combined with the so-called four-position switch disclosed in Figures 1 through 13, and

Figure 17 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an electrical circuit combined with a so-called three-position switch and with a foot switch,

Referring particularly to Figures 1 through 13, the embodiment of the invention therein disclosed comprises a generally cup-shaped casing 2Q, having its closure wall 2| provided with an aperture 22, the closure Wall 2| having an integral tubular part 23 margining the aperture 22. Closing the open end of the casing is a switchbacl or Contact support 24, preferably formed of insulating material, the support or carrier 24 being provided with a central aperture 25 and apertures 26 spaced about the central aperture 25. The apertures 25 and 26 are preferably alike in construction, and description of one aperture will t all of the apertures. Each of the apertures is provided with a polygonalv portion 2l leading from a boss 23 formed on the exterior surface of the support 24, the polygonal portion communicating with a well portion 29 countersinking the polygonal portion 2l" and leading to the inside surface of the support 24.

Disposed in the central aperture 25 is a contact means 33, best shown in section in Figure 5, and comprising a tubular body portion 3l, preferably formed of complementary U-shaped halves, and having an integral loop portion 32 providing a recess at one end of the body portion 3i. At the other end of the body portion 3l, each of the U-shaped halves is provided with a generally semicircular ange, so that when the halves are brought together, the anges cooperate to form a generally circular foot 33, about which is spun a flange 35 formed on a generally thimble-shaped closure 35. Before the parts 3l and 35 are assembled, a detent means 36 and a spring 3'! are disposed within the tubular body portion 3 l, the spring 3l being interposed between the detent means 3-5 and the inner surface of the closure 35, and urging a portion of the detent means to position within the recess formed by the loop portion 32.

A plug conductor 33 may be received within the recess formed by the loop portion 32. this plug conductor having a tapered nose and an annular furrow spaced from the nose. so that when the plug conductor is inserted in the recess provided by the loop portion 32, the tapered nose will cam the detent means inwardly of the tubular body portion 3l until the annular furrow aligns with the detent means 33, whereupon the detent means will snap into the annular furrow, and mechanically and electrically hold the plug conductor 38 to the Contact means 3Q. It will be appreciated that the cross-sectional outline of the body portion 3| corresponds to the polygonal portion 21 of the center aperture 25 so as to hold the contact means from turning. A spring 39 is interposed between the bottom of the well 29 and the spun-over portion 34 of the thimble 35, so as to urge the contact means 34 to the left as viewed in Figure 1.

Contact means 49, 4i, 42, 43, and 44 are arranged in the apertures 25 about the center contact 35, and inasmuch as these contact means are preferably similar in construction, only the contact means will be particularly described. As best shown in Figure 6, the contact means 40 comprises a tubular body portion 45, preferably formed of complementary U-shaped halves, the body portion at one end having an integral loop 45, and at its other end having a generally circular foot 41, formed by generally semicircular flanges on the halves of the body portion 45. A f

contact head 48 is provided to close the open end of the tubular body portion 45, and is secured by spinning an integral peripheral flange 49 about the foot 41. The contact head 48 is formed with a central dome-shaped portion as best shown in Figure 6. Before the contact head 48 is secured to the body portion 45, detent means 59 and a spring 5I are disposed within the tubular body portion 45, the spring 5l being interposed between the detent 50 and the inner surf-ace of the contact head 48, and urges a portion of the detent means to a position within the recess formed by the loop 45. It will be appreciated that a plug conductor similar to the plug conductor 3S may be connected to any one of :l

the contact means 49, 4i, 42, 43, and 44 in a manner hereinbefore described. The cross-sectional outline of the body portion 45 of each of the contact means 49, 4I, 42, 43, and 44 corresponds to the outline of the polygonal portion 21 of the apertures 25, so as to hold the contact means from turning. Interposed between the bottom of each well of the apertures 29 and the adjacent surface of the spun-over flange 49 of Athe, respective contact means, is a spring 53,

urging the contact means to the left as viewed in Figure 1. Referring to Figure 2, it will be noticed that the contact means 39, 45, 4I, 42, 43, and 44 have been arranged so that a plug conductor may be inserted within the recesses formed by the respective loop portions without danger of contacting a portion of an adjacent plug terminal. The loop portion of each of the contact means may be provided with a strengthening rib, if desired.

The contact means above referred to are disclosed and claimed in my co-pending application entitled Electrical contact means, Serial Number 51,069, filed November 22, 1935."

The casing 29 is provided with axially extending fingers 54, here shown to be three in number and unequally spaced, and each finger having a reduced tapering part 55. The contact means support 24 is provided with a generally annular rabbeted part forming Aa shoulder 55, the shoulder being interrupted by slots 51 corresponding generally in size and location to the fingers 54. The support 24 may be held to the casing 29 by bringing the shoulder 55 against the marginal surface defining the open end of the casing 20, with the fingers 54 disposed in the respective slots 51, and the extremities 55 of the ngers 54 bent over the exterior surface of the support 24. As best shown in Figure 7, the center aperture 25 and one of the apertures 26 are brought into communication by means of a slot 58 for a purpose hereinafter apparent.

Disposed within the casing 29 is a bridge carrying block or carrier 59, preferably discshaped and formed of insulating material, and having a central aperture 69 adapted to pass the thimble portion 35 of the contact means 3D. The surface of the block 59, adjacent the inner surface of the support 24, is provided with a plurality of inwardly tapering depressions 6l equally spaced apart in a circle about the center of the block 59. As best shown in Figure 1. some of the recesses 6I are of a smaller size than other of the recesses, and those of smaller size are formed in arcuate bosses 62, 63, and 64. A generally cup-shaped bridge means 65 is secured to the block 59, the peripheral side wall 56 of the bridge 65 fitting close to the outer periphery of the block 59, and at certain portions along the defining margins of the wall 66, portions are struck inwardly to overlie a chamfered surface 61 formed on the block 59, the inwardly struck portions holding the bridge 65 to the block 59. The bridge 65 is provided With a central aperture 68, and arcuate apertures 69, 1D, and 1l corresponding to the arcuate bosses 62, 63, and E4 formed in the block 59, the arcuate recesses and shoulders cooperating to provide a flush outer surface, as best shown in Figure 1. The bridge 65 is provided with depressions 12 pressed into the larger sized recesses 6I, the depressions 12 being constructed so as to provide recesses substantially of a character as the smaller sized recesses 5| formed in the block 59. The block 59, in the surface opposite the surface having the recesses El, is provided with axially extending recesses 13, and as best shown in Figure 7, these recesses are preferably unequally spaced.

Actuating means 14 are provided for driving the block 59, these actuating means preferably comprising a split tubular member 15, having interrupted portions at one end to provide axial extensions 15 and 11, the extensions 'i1 being shown preferably wider than the extensions 15, and formed by portions on opposite sides of the split. The other end of the tubular member 15 is provided with spaced lateral flanges 18.

Formed in one space between the flanges 1B is a nger 19, and formed in the other space between the flanges 18 are spaced fingers 59, each of the ngers 19 and 83 comprising an integral lateral extension of the tubular member 15, and an axial part integral with the laterally extending part, the extremity of the axially extending part being tapered. The fingers 19 and 83 are constructed and Iarranged to fit within the recesses 13 formed in the block 59, it being appreciated that because of the unequal spacing. the block 59 and the tubular member 15 can be assembled in only one relation. The tubular member 15 is journaled for rotation by the tubular flange 23 formed on the closure Wall 2l of the casing 29. Rotational movement of the actuating means 14 is limited by abutment of parts of the laterally extending flanges 18 adjacent the fingers 89 with opposite margins of an inwardly struck portion 8| of the closure wall 2l of the casing 29, as best shown in Figure 4.

An electric lamp socket 82 is adapted to be carried within the actuating means 14, and preferably comprises a split tubular body provided with bayonet slots 83, leading inwardly from one end of the tubular body, the other end of the tubular body being provided with laterally extending ngers 84 and 85. As best shown in Figures 4 and 1, the fingers 84 are spaced apart, the adjacent surfaces being notched as shown at 86, the notches forming shoulders and a recess, for accommodating the nger 19 formed on the actuating means 14. The single nger 85 has its opposite surfaces notched as shown at 81 to provide shoulders and a reduced extension tting between the lingers 80. The ringer 19 cooperates with the fingers 84, and the fingers 89 cooperate with the finger 85, so as to put the socket 82 in driving relation with the actuating means 14. The shoulders formed by the notches 86 and 81 engage the inner surfaces of the ngers 19 and 83, as shown in Figure 4, to predeterminedly space the socket 82 within the tubular portion 15 of the actuating means 14.

An electric lamp 88 is received within the socket 82, the lamp 88 having a base provided with the usual bayonet-joint lateral projections 89 adapted to seat within-the seats of the bayonet slots 83. Operating means 90 are provided for effecting movement of the actuating means 14, and comprise a generally circular knob-like member preferably formed of translucent insulating material, having notches 9| formed in the peripheral surface to facilitate movement of the operating means. The operating means 9|] is provided with a boss 92 having a recess 93, the recess being formed with axially extending notches 94 and 95 constructed and arranged to fl( brought together, and therefore the resilient 'l spring of the split tubular portion 15 will cause the operating means 98 to be frictionally held to the actuating means 14. The closure end of the operating means 99, substantially in alignment with the recess 93, is provided with an indicating marking, such as the indicating arrow 96, which provides at this point a reduced thickness of the knob. Obviously, this reduced thickness causes the indicating arrow to appear more distinct than the remaining portion of the knob when f the electric lamp 83 is illuminated, so as to indicate the position of the electric switch.

With the electric switch assembled as 'best shown in Figure l, it will be obvious that the fingers 84 and 85 formed on the lamp socket 82 are interposed between an adjacent surface of the block 59, and the laterally extending parts of the iingers 19 and 89, and the opposite surface of the laterally extending parts of the fingers 19 and 86, and the adjacent surfaces of the anges 18, bear against an annular offset 91 formed adjacent the tubular part 23 of the closure wall 2| of the casing 20. The springs surrounding the body portion of the contacts 49,

4|, 42, 43, and 44 urge the block 59 and the pbridge 65 carried thereby to the left as viewed in Figure l, this thrust being taken up by the bearinfr 91. The spring surrounding the body portion of the center contact 39 urges the thimble portion 35 into engagement with the contact formed on the electric lamp 88, and as the lamp 88 is moved with the actuating means 14 of the operating means 99, the center contact of the lamp will move relative to the contact means 36. It will also be obvious that the springs surrounding the contact means 46, 4|, 42, 43, and 44 urge the respective contact heads 48 into either the recesses 6| formed in the block 59, or the recesses provided by the depressions 12. When thel block 59 is rotated, the inwardly tapering sides of the recesses will cam the Contact heads and the entire Contact means to the right as viewed in Figure l, these contact heads then riding over the flush surfaces of the block 59 and bridge 65 until other recesses are brought into alignment, whereupon the contact heads 43 will snap into the aligned recesses. In some instances it is desirable to directly electrically connect the contact means A38 and 44, and this connection may be effected in any suitable manner. In this in- Stance, a metallic jumper strap 98 is disposed in the wells 29 of the apertures for receiving the contact means 39 and 44, and in the slot 58, the strap 99 having apertures permitting passage of the body portions of the Contact means 30 and 44.

The switching device may be secured to a mounting 99 in any suitable manner, the manner herein shown being similar to that shown in applicants Patent, Number 2,057,885. As best shown in Figure l, a cup-shaped member |69 may be xedly mounted on the mounting 99 by means of a bushing fitting through openings in the mounting 99 and the cup-shaped member |69, the bushing having its ends crimped or beaded over the edges of these openings. The peripheral wall of the cup-shaped member |60 is provided with a plurality of inwardly struck abutments |92 adapted to engage the closure wall 2| of the casing 29 to limit movement of the casing 28 inwardly of the cup-shaped member H19.

'In this particular case a quick connectable and disconnectable connection is provided to hold the casing 29 assembled with the cup-shaped member |09 and mounting 99, and includes a bayonet type connection, one part of which is carried by the cupeshaped member |89 and the other part is carried by the casing The cupshaped member |99 is formed with a single baycnet slot having an axially extending portion HB3 connected with a circumferentially extending portion |84, as best shown in Figure 13. The circumferentially extending portion H34 is provided with a bayonet seat |95, which is inclined with respect to a plane at right angles to the axis of the cup-shaped member |99. On the side of the seat |05 nearest the axially extending portion |93, the seat |95 is provided with a shoulder |96 extending substantially at right angles to the seat |35.

The bayonet connection also includes a struckin portion |91, best seen in Figure 12, the struckn in portion extending radially inwardly on the member lili), and serves to provide a bayonet seat |68, which may also be inclined to a plane perpendicular to the member Hi8. The struck-in portion |01 is provided with a projection forming a shoulder |99, the projection being desirably of rounded form on both sides, so that the shoulder |89 merges into the seat The seat U38 of the struck-in portion |91 is diametricallv opposite with respect to the seat |35 formed as part of the single bayonet slot, as best illustrated in Figure l.

The portion 0f the bayonet conection carried by the casing 29 comprises two bayer/ietl projections Il and lll, the bayonet projections forming oppositely extending parts of a cross-shaped member i2 which is made of shee spring metal,

The cross-shaped member ||2 is provided with `a central opening II3 through which the .tubular portion 15 of the actuating means I4 is disposed, and the cross-shaped member I|2 is fastened to the end wall 2| of the casing 20 by means of rivets I I4 and I I5, located at diametrically opposite points intermediate the bayonet projections and III. The cross-shaped member I|2 is spaced from the wall 2| by bosses IIB and II'I, through openings in which the rivets II4 and I I5 pass.

The arms of the cross-shaped member ||2 through which the rivets I I4 and I I5 pass, extend radially outwardly a short distan-ce beyond the rivets substantially to the inner periphery of the cup-shaped member |00 to form projections II8 and H9. The projections IIS and ||9 are adapted to cooperate with struck-in portions |20 and I 2| formed on the peripheral wall of the cupshaped member |00. The relation of parts is such that when the switch casing 20 is in abutment with the struck-in portions |02, the projections IIB and IIS are adapted to firmly ride onto the seats formed by the struck-in portions |20 and I2 I, as shown in Figures -8 and 11. The struck-in portions |20 and I2I are substantially in a plane at right angles to the axis of the member |00, as are also the portions of the projections IIS and |I9 The bayonet projections |I0 and III are provided with oiset portions |22 and |23 respective- 1y. In the case of the projection III), the offset portion |22 is so twisted out of the general plane of the cross-shaped member I|2 that the portion |22 will lie substantially flat upon the bayonet seat |05 when engagement between the parts is completed. In like manner the bayonet projection III has its portion |23 so offset that it will lie substantially flat upon the inclined seat |08 when the parts have been connected.

The offset portion |22 is adapted to extend radially outwardly through the slot portion |03, and may be provided with an enlarged head |24. The oiTset portion |23 extends radially outwardly only to the inner periphery of the cup-shaped member |00.

To assemble the switching device carried within the casing 20 with the cup-shaped member I 00, the casing 20 is moved bodily toward the member |00 and is brought in generally coaxial alignment therewith. The casing 20 is then positioned about its axis so that the bayonet projection H0 may enter the axial portion |03 of the bayonet slot. The casing 20 is then moved axially until the closure wall 2| of the casing 20 .e

comes into engagement with the abutments |02, and the oiIset portion |22 of the bayonet projection I|0 is then in a position to ride up by cam action onto the projection forming the shoulder |05. At the same time the offset portion |23 is in a position to ride up by cam action onto the projection forming the shoulder |09, and the projections |I8 and H9 are ready to ride onto the seats formed by the struck-in portions |20 and I2I. rotation of the casing 20 with respect to the member |00 will cause a beveled portion |25 of the projection forming the shoulder |06 to cam the offset portion |22 in a direction away from the end wall 2| of the casing 20, thereby putting the projection I|0 under stress. At the same time the offset portion |23 is cammed in a direction away from the closure wall 2| by the projection forming the shoulder |09, thereby putting the projection under stress. While the pro- With the parts in this position, relative jections I|0 and II| are put under stress, the projections IIS and IIS will ride onto the seats formed by the struck-in portions and I2I. When the relative rotating movement of the parts has been completed, the oifset portions |22 and |23 will snap onto the seats |05, |08 respectively, and the parts are yieldably held against relative movement.

To intentionally disconnect the casing 20 from the member |00, the oiset portion |22 may be disconnected manually from its seat |05 by pressing upon the enlarged head |24, and then turning the casing 20 until the oifset portion is in axial alignment with the axial slot |03. During that turning motion, the offset portion |23 rides from the seat |03, up onto the projection formed by the shoulder |43 and is entirely disengaged from the shoulder. Since only one of the bayonet projections, that is, the projection I I0, needs to be unlocked when it is desired to disconnect the casing 2@ from the cup-shaped member lili), it will be evident that disconnection of the parts can be readily eiected manually without the use of tools.

Referring to Figure 14, the embodiment of the invention therein disclosed is somewhat similar to the embodiment disclosed in Figures 1 through 13; however, in this instance, the lamp socket 82 is omitted, and an actuating member |25, similar to the actuating member '|4, is constructed and arranged to provide bayonet slots I2I for the projections |20 provided on the base of the electric lamp |29. In this case it will be seen that the lamp |29 is disposed directly within the tubular portion of the actuating means |25.

In Figure 15, is shown a socket |30 similar in some respects to the socket 82, disclosed in the embodiments shown in Figures 1 through 13; however, the socket I 30, instead of being provided with the laterally bent fingers 84 and 85, is provided with a laterally extending generally circular ange I3I, this flange being provided with recesses |32 constructed and arranged to receive the axially extending portions of the ngers 'I9 and 80 of the actuating member '|4.

Figure 16 discloses a wiring diagram which may be used with the so-called four-position switch hereinbefore disclosed. This switch is diagrammatically shown, and has the center contact 30 and the contacts 40, 4|, 42, 43, and 44 spaced about the center contact. For convenience, the contact 40 has been marked the battery contact, the contact 4| marked the tail light contact, and contact 42 marking the parking light contact, the contact 43 marked the dim or tilt light conta-ct, and the contact 44 marked the bright light contact. The jumper strap 98 is diagrammatically shown as ccn- `necting the contacts 30 and 44, and the center contact 30 is diagrammatically shown as connected to the electric lamp 88. The contact 40 is connected to the battery |33, or any other suitable source of current, and the contact 4| is connected to the tail lamp |34. The contact 42 is connected by a conductor i35 to branch conductors |36 leading to the parking iamps i3? which may be contained within the head lamps |38. The contact 44 is connected by a conductor |39 to branch conductors I 40 leadingT to the bright filament I4I of a pair of electric lamps |42. The contact 43 is connected by means of a conductor |43 to branch conductors leading to the dim or tilt filaments |44 of the electric lamps |42.

In one position of the bridge'means, none of the contacts 4|, 42, 43, or 44 are connected to the battery, and this constitutes the position known as the off position of the switch. The bridge means may be moved to another position to engage the contacts 49, 4|, and 42, at which time the tail light and parking lights will be energized. The bridge means may also be moved to a position to engage the contacts 4|, 4d, and 43, at which time the tail light and the chin or tilt lights will be energized. The bridge means may also be moved to a position to engage t e contacts 40, 4|, and 44, at which time the br lights and tail light will be energized, aalso, the indicating device or signalling liglt will be energized by means of the jumper strap 98 connecting the contacts 44 and 3S, so that when the bright lights are energized, the operator will have means of knowing this fact. Oi course it will be obvious that the elongated slots 69, '10, and 1|, formed in the bridge means 65, permits the various switching movements of the bridge means.

Referring to Figure 17, the switch 'therein shown comprises what is commonly known as a three-position switch. Parts similar to those used in the circuit diagram shown in Figure l5, will be designated by like numbers supplemented by the subscript a. In this case, the contact 43 for the dim or tilt light is omitted, the contacts 40a, 4|a, 42a, being marked as before, while the contact 44a is now marked only with the wording headlight As before, the contact is connected to the battery |33a, the contact Ma is connected to the tail lamp |34a, and the contact 42a is connected to the parking lamps 3221. In this instance, however, the contact lia is connected by a conductor |45 to a central terminal |46 of a switch |41, which switch may be operated by the foot of an operator. As shown, the terminal |46 provides a fulcrum for a swinging bridge member |48, which may engage either a terminal |49 or a terminal |59. With the bridge member |48 in engagement with the terminal 55d as shown, current flows from the contact 44a through the conductor |45, the terminal bridge |48, terminal |59, .conductor to branch conductors |52 leading to the bright iilaments |4|a of the electric lamps |42a, and the terminal |50 is also connected by a conductor |53 with the center contact 39a, so as to cause illumination oi' the electric lamp 53a when the bright laments |4|a are energized. t will be obvious that in this case the jumper strap is omitted, and connection is made with the contact terminal 39a by means of a conductor engaged by the detent means of the contact eea. When the bridge |48 is swung to engage the terminal |49, current will flow from the contact 44a through the conductor |45, the terminal ict, bridge |48, terminal |49, a conductor |54, branch conductors |55 to the dim or tilt iilaments Nida of the electric lamp 42a, and in this case the lamp 88a is not energized.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have accomplished at least the principal object of my invention, and it also will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the einbodiments herein described may be variously changed and modied, without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described; hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodiments are illustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

1. An electric switch, comprising: a switchback, having a reciprocable center contact, and a plurality of off-center contacts, one of said off-center contacts being connectable to a source of electrical energy; jumper means extending between said center contact and another of said oir-center contacts; bridge means, having an aperture through which said center contact extends whereby said bridge means is rotatable about the axis of said center contact to selectively engage said off-center contacts; indicating means, connected to said center contact; said jumper means being constructed and arranged to continue an electrical circuit from said other olf-center contact to said indicating means, so as to energize said indicating means when said bridge means engages both said one and said other oir-center contacts.

2. An electric switch, comprising: a support, having spaced apertures, each being countersunk by a well leading to one surface of said support, said support having also a recess providing communication between said wells; contact means, in each of said apertures, each being mounted for reciprocatory movement through its respective aperture; resilient means, cooperating with each contact means, interposed between the bottom of the respective well and a portion of the respective Contact means, for urging said contact means in a direction toward said one surface of said support; and a jumper strap, having portions interposed between each of the resilent means and the bottom of the respective Well, and a portion disposed in the recess in said support, for electrically connecting said contact means.

3. An electric switch, comprising: a support, having a central aperture; a contact, mounted for reciprocation through said aperture, and being spring-pressed so that a portion of said contact is urged in a direction away from a surface of said support; another contact mounted on said support in spaced relation with respect to said central contact; bridge means, having a surface disposed adjacent said surface of said support, for engagement with said other contact, and having a central aperture through which said portion of said central contact extends; actuating means, including an electric lamp socket, having driving connection with said bridge means, said lamp socket being provided with bayonet slots; and an electric lamp, having projections for bayonet connection with said lamp slots, said central contact portion being urged into engagement with the lamp contact, the urging force of said spring-pressed contact yieldably opposing disengagement of said bayonet connection.

4. An electric switch, comprising: bridge means; a split tubular member, having means at one end for connection with said bridge means, and fingers at the opposite end extending in a generally axial direction, one of said ngers being formed by extensions of said tubular member on opposite sides of said spl-it; and operating means, having a recess for receiving said ngers, said operating means being held assembled with said tubular member by the force provided by the resiliency of said split tubular member.

5. An` electric switch, comprising: bridge means; a split tubular member, having means at one end for connection with said bridge means, and ngers of unequal widths at the opposite end extending in a generally axial direction, one of said fingers being formed by extensions of said Vtubular member on opposite sides of said split;

with said tubular member in only one predeter- Y mined relation, and being held assembled by the force provided by the resiliency of said split tubular member.

6. An electric switch, comprising: bridge means; a split tubular member,A having at one end a driving connection with said bridge means, said connection being so constructed and arranged that said member and said bridge means may be assembled in only one predetermined relation, said tubular member having fingers at the opposite end extending in a generally axial direction, one of said fingers being formed by extensions of said tubular member on opposite sides of said split; and operating means, having a recess for receiving said fingers, said operating means being held assembled with said tubular member by the force provided by the resiliency of said split tubular member.

7. In a device of the character described; tubular actuating means having a plurality of axially extending ngers; and a lamp socket located in said actuating means having a plurality of radially projecting means, each having a reduced extremity providing a shoulder, said projecting means being so constructed and arranged that when said socket is assembled with said actuating means, said shoulders engage said axially extending ngers whereby to position said socket in concentric spaced apart relation to said actuating means.

8. A switch including a casing, a movable carrier having bridge means secured thereto, a recess provided adjacent the center of said carrier, a switchback secured to said casing and having an aperture therein, contact meansv extending through said aperture, means at one extremity of said contact means for resiliently retaining a terminal, and means adjacent the other extremity providing an elongation projecting into said recess and out of engagement with said bridge means.

9. An electric switch, comprising: bridge means; a split tubular member, a lamp socket disposed in said tubular member having transverse extensions arranged between said bridge means and one end of said tubular member; said tubular member having means at said end for connection with said bridge means and said extensions, and fingers at the opposite end extending in a generally axial direction, one of said lingers being formed by extensions of said tubular member on opposite sides of said split; and operating means, having a recess for receiving said iingers, said operating means being held assembled with said tubular member by the force provided by the resiliency of said split tubular member.

l0. A switch including, a casing, a movable carrier having bridge means secured thereto, a hole in said bridge means and a recess provided adjacent the center of said carrier, a second carrier secured to said casing and having an aperture therein, contact means extending through said aperture, means at one extremity of said contact means providing means to which a terminal may be connected, and means adjacent the other extremity providing an axially extending elongation projecting into said recess and through the hole in said bridge means.

Al, In combination: a support, having an aperture; a tubular body, extending through said aperture and having Vmeans engaging portions of said support; means for receiving an electric lamp, having parts interengaging portions of said body to hold said receiving means assembled with said body, said receiving means also having means constructed and arranged to releaseably hold the electric lamp; an apertured carrier supporting contact means carried by said support; a bridge carrier supporting a bridge for engagement with certain of said contact means, anV

aperture in said bridge carrier; one of said contact means passing through the aperture in said contact carrier and the aperture in said bridge carrier adapted to engage the terminal means of the electric lamp; and single resilient means for urging said contact means into engagement with the terminal means of the electric lamp, the urging force of said resilient means being transmitted through the electric lamp to said lamp receiving means and said body, so as to yieldably oppose movement tending to release the lamp from said receiving means, said receiving means from said body and the engaging means of said body from said support.

l2. An electric switch including in combination, a casing, a carrier supporting bridge means movably arranged in said casing, a recess provided in said carrier, a piece of insulating material carried by said casing, an aperture provided in said piece, contact means including a contact reciprocably mounted in said aperture, one extremity of said contact providing means to which a conductor may be connected and the other extremity being extended so as to t within the recess of said bridge carrier out of contact with the bridge means, and means connected to said bridge carrier for rotating same and extending iree of said casing.

13. An electric switch, comprising: bridge means; a split tubular member, a lamp socket disposed in said tubular member having transverse extensions arranged between said bridge means and one end of said tubular member, said tubular member having means at said one end for connection with said bridge means and said extensions, and ngers at the opposite end projecting in a generally axial direction, one of said fingers being formed by extensions of said tubular member on opposite sides of said split; and operating means, having a recess for receiving said iingers, said operating means being held assembled with said tubular member by the force provided by the resiliency of said split tubular member.

14. A contact assembly for an electric switch including a rst carrier, an aperture provided in said carrier, a body member slidably mounted in said aperture, a second carrierr having a contact plate secured thereto, said second carrier and plate having apertures aligned with said first mentioned aperture, one extremity of said body providing means to which a conductor may be secured, and having an elongated cap member permanently secured to the opposite extremity of said body forming an extension thereof projecting into the apertures provided in said second carrier and in said plate and clearing the latter whereby to provide a contact adapted to engage a contact member constituting a part of the switch.

HARRY A. DOUGLAS. 

